lion-skinnedadj. clothed in a lion's skin, figurative with allusion to the ass in the fable (cf. 2e).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > moral courage > making bold appearance > [adjective] > having false appearance of courage
lion-skinned1768
1768 A. TuckerLight of Nature Pursued II. iii. 301Lion-skin'd Freethinking, safe affector of thy bravery..claims to be the sole gatherer up of thy spoils.